Which dog breed?

[HennyPenny2019]

My boxer is amazing with my chickens and NG goats
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Boxers are a great choice too. I love the intelligence of the Poodle but would be concerned about the coat upkeep. Even kept short.

I’ve shown and raised French Bulldogs for 20 years ... they aren’t farm dogs but I’ll always have one ... or 3

 

[HennyPenny2019]

Collies are fabulous!! This is Beau. He is great with chickens, very gentle with chicks, and is very well behaved for the most part. We never had to teach him not to jump up on people or the couch. He’s quite obedient, and, as collies are, very smart. He is a smooth coat (as opposed to rough coat, which is long, like lassie) and so no worrying about being all scraggly and full of burrs. He is also a great protector of our home and of my chickens. He keeps deer (and thus deer ticks, for the most part) off of our property.
(The sable collie is his “girlfriend” that comes to stay while her family is out of town, her name is Sadie and she is a great dog!)
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Another great choice!

 

[Jessi.Smith]

If I could stick with my plan of getting a Standard Poodle that would be ideal! I have a good idea of their temperament (which is why I’ve wanted one) but not of their day to day care. So you keep yours on a fairly short cut and that seems to help?

Yes. As soon as their hair starts to grow out I start getting more stickers and I know it is time to cut again. Since they grow hair in between the pads on their feet you have to make sure that is trimmed before going out, or the can get a very painful sticker between their toes. It is easily something you can do yourself. I trim mine bi-weekly and that seems to work perfect.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Puppies aren't always the best choice, you can never be sure what you're going to get. An adult dog's personality is known- for example, you'll know if this dog is going to be one who's more prone to chase prey animals than others.

 

[sassysarah]

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That is so sweet!

 

[sassysarah]

Hounds can be easy going, although they will often follow their noses. Most sporting breeds will be hyper when younger. I'm a fan of rat terriers but they do like going after rodents

My cousins have three hounds and you're right. They are escape artists and will run away at every chance they get! They're impossible to catch once the get away! They bark a lot too.

They're very loving dogs though and would protect you with their lives but the second they get out of the house they're gone!

 

[PattyNH]

Boxers are a great choice too. I love the intelligence of the Poodle but would be concerned about the coat upkeep. Even kept short.

I’ve shown and raised French Bulldogs for 20 years ... they aren’t farm dogs but I’ll always have one ... or 3

I LOVE French Bulldogs and have always wanted one! The are soooooo adorable!!!

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you get anything brachycelaphic (smushed face), be very careful about the degree of smush. Brachycelaphic dogs are extremely prone to breathing and eye issues because of how badly their skulls are misshapen. Those wheezing noises that pugs and the like tend to make are the sounds of them struggling to breathe properly, because their airway is massively constricted. They also tend to get skin infections among the folds. The cute face isn't worth them suffering all their lives because they were bred for aesthetics over function. Some of them even need surgery to be able to breathe properly. They also tend to be prone to hip and back issues because of how their bodies are shaped.

 

[Folly's place]

So many choices!
There's an excellent book out there 'The Right Dog For You' by D. Tortuga (not sure about the author's name spelling) that talks about AKC breeds, temperament, etc, with no 'breed book fluff'.
Short faced dogs will have big issues with heat, for sure, not a good thing.
Lotsa hair means lotsa extra work, either combing or cutting it. Short haired dogs are easier that way!
Do you want guarding behavior? Good obedience? There's a difference between 'quiet indoors' and 'active outside' too.
Shelter dogs need homes, and you can screen for types and behaviors through 'petfinders' website. Breed clubs have lists of breeders, and you can also see what diseases that breed club talks about, for health screening. And, a puppy who has many old relatives is a good thing!
Mary

 

[Melky]

Don’t under estimate the value of a shelter dog. They are so happy to have a home. Go short hair if worried about up keep of fur. Mine is a papitese not a farm dog but she is a total Tom boy cutie. Took some training and an invisible fence on tonal to keep her home but older now and wonderfully intelligent dog. I keep her hair short to prevent mats. She is an inside dog but good around my animals and low prey drive and total cuddle bug. Max 10 lbs. Low shedding and low allergy. Labrador retrievers are intelligent and good family dog, Golden retrievers great loyal and smart to a fault but lots of hair etc.
Get what you want.